In a powerful address delivered on Thursday, former President Barack Obama called on Black men to rally behind Vice President Kamala Harris in her presidential campaign, expressing frustration with those hesitating to support her.
During a surprise visit to a Harris campaign office in Pittsburgh, Obama remarked that it’s “not acceptable” to remain passive in this critical election, suggesting that reluctance among some voters may stem from Harris being a woman.
Obama’s candid comments come as polls show a highly competitive race, and his criticism appeared to target what he described as a gender-based bias. Addressing a small group of voters, Obama pointed out that the lack of enthusiasm for Harris’ campaign seemed more evident among Black men, saying, “You’re thinking about sitting out or supporting somebody (referring to former President Donald Trump) who has a history of denigrating you because you think that’s a sign of strength. That’s not acceptable.”
He further pressed the point that the issue could be rooted in sexism, stating, “You’re coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses, but part of it makes me think you just aren’t comfortable with the idea of a woman as president.”
Obama’s remarks came amidst efforts by Harris’ campaign to mobilize Black voters, a crucial demographic for the Democratic Party. Harris has been particularly focused on energizing Black and Hispanic men, groups where support has shown signs of lagging.
An individual close to the campaign highlighted the urgency of the situation, saying, “The concern is that the couch is going to win,” referring to the possibility that some voters may choose not to vote at all, which would benefit Trump.
Next week, Harris will be making a push in Detroit, where she is scheduled to participate in a radio town hall hosted by Charlamagne tha God. This event is aimed at reaching a national audience, especially Black voters, through the popular program “The Breakfast Club.”
As Harris’ team works to rebuild the multiracial coalition that brought Joe Biden to victory in 2020, campaign strategists are employing similar tactics to Obama’s Pittsburgh message. They are focusing on smaller, intimate meetings, including a quiet visit by Harris’ brother-in-law to an NAACP event in Milwaukee last month, signaling the campaign’s behind-the-scenes efforts to engage key community leaders.
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